John Thomas Shields was born in Ballarat, Victoria, was single and a Labourer when he enlisted with the 24th Battalion, 8th Reinforcement on 26 July 1915 at the age of 22. His unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A19 Afric on 5 January 1916. He was wounded in action whilst in France and re-joined his unit later that month. On 11 August 1918 he was wounded a second time with a penetrating gunshot wound to the chest and was evacuated to the Lines of Communication Hospital before being transferred to England. The wound marked the end of his military career; he returned to Australia aboard the Hospital Transport Argyllshire, reaching Melbourne on 1 February 1919.
Tree No. 1808